In which scenario would a medical professional typically only require one DEA registration?

A medical professional typically only requires one DEA registration when they prescribe narcotics for addiction maintenance because this scenario involves a specific type of treatment that is regulated under specific provisions. The DEA registration allows practitioners to prescribe controlled substances, including those used for the treatment of opioid use disorders.

When a professional is involved in this type of practice, they are often granted a waiver, which allows them to manage and dispense narcotics specifically for the purpose of maintaining an individual’s treatment for addiction. This includes the use of medications like buprenorphine or methadone in an approved treatment setting.

Having just one registration simplifies the process for the practitioner, as they can manage their patient care under a single registration without needing additional registrations unless they plan to engage in further controlled substances activities that require separate registrations. This stands in contrast to scenarios involving prescribing non-narcotics or only dispensing schedule III drugs, which don't necessitate the same level of regulatory scrutiny and may not provide a singular registration requirement in some contexts.